What is Allied Health?
Ever wondered what this thing called 'allied health' is?
And how allied health connects to Allied Therapy Services?
Great questions! Let's start with defining allied health, read on below.
While some individual allied health professions have histories that date back as early as 460 B.C 1 , did you know that today, there is still no universally accepted definition of allied health?
Generally speaking, allied health professionals are health professionals that are not part of the medical, dental or nursing professions. The professions are diverse, from physiotherapy to pharmacy, psychology to radiography, speech therapy to optometry and more!
In Australia, allied health professionals represent approximately a third of the health industry workforce with approximately 200,000 clinicians! 2
The Australian Government recognises allied health professions that have all the below 3
a university qualification accredited by a relevant national accreditation body
a national professional organisation with clearly defined membership criteria
clear national entry-level competency standards and assessment processes
autonomy of practice (i.e. the ability to apply professional knowledge to client care and clinical decision-making)
a clearly defined scope of practice.
In an effort to further define allied health, the Victorian Government acknowledges 27 professions under the banner of allied health and defines these into two broad profession classifications of 'Allied Health: Science' and 'Allied Health: Therapy'.
These classifications are based on research and aim to help establish common ground between allied health professions, support informed debate and effective collaboration.4
What's promising is these further definitions provide the beginning of what may become to be a universal definition, at least in Australia!
Let's wait and see!
How does Allied Health connect to Allied Therapy Services?
Allied Therapy Services provides therapy support under three ''Allied health: Therapy'' categories as defined by the Victorian Government:
Occupational Therapy (OT) - therapy to help you develop, recover, improve, or maintain the skills for everyday living.
Physiotherapy (Physio) - focused on the structure and function of the human body and its movement, physiotherapy works to regain or improve movement and mobility.
Speech Pathology (Speech Therapy) - therapy support to assist you with speaking, expressing your thoughts, understanding language, reading, spelling, speaking in social situations, stuttering, swallowing issues or meal-time management.
All three of our allied health therapies have their own national professional organisation and competency standards.
We require all of our OTs, Physios and Speech Pathologists to be registered with AHPRA (Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists) or to be a member of Speech Pathology Australia (Speech Pathologists).
Why Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology at Allied Therapy Services?
Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology are common therapy supports for many clients, from people who have experienced injury or illness to people experiencing the effects of a neurological condition, or people living with disability or those who are ageing.
By offering these three therapies to our communities, we have the ability to support the broadest range of people to reach their goals.
Of course, our chosen allied health therapies do not assume to be comprehensive, so where we work closely with other professionals such as other allied health disciplines or medical and nursing professionals to give you whole of mind, body and community support.
We're proud to take a client-centered and collaborative approach to our therapy work. Our therapists work collaboratively together across Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology on common goals for our clients like; returning to work or community activities, the prescription of a new wheelchair or the set up and use of communication aids.
Many of our clients are also linked with a local medical or allied health provider or support service specific to their diagnosis. Our therapy team will link in with these local providers, to ensure you have continuity of care. From participating in telehealth team meetings or arranging specialist equipment trials, your Allied Therapy Services therapist works collaboratively as part of your greater team, family or support workers, to ensure the best support plans are in place, so you can reach your goals.
Check out the links below to learn more about our in-home and community-based Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Speech Therapy support in Albury-Wodonga, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Western Melbourne or Warrnambool:
References
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